Yay or nay on this bizarro yellow coat? - YouLookFab Forum

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Yay or nay on this bizarro yellow coat?

Fruitful

Veteran

My friend found this for me when we were at Savers (thrift store). I ummed and ahhed over it. She said if it's not a resounding yes I'll end up not wearing it.

But I'm not sure. Although this coat had some problems it also had some great things going for it. I already was looking for a yellow coat and had started a shortlist. Maybe my eyes need adjusting to this one - or maybe it's just awkward. It's got no shoulder structure so it just hangs. On the other hand, it sits nicely over this pencil skirt.

1-3 is the coat from different angles. 4 is how my friend said it's meant to be worn (with a little handbag or clutch) and how I'd probably have to wear it (with a shoulder bag).

5 is different sizes of a current retail coat; this sparked my yellow coat hunt and my emotions are similar towards it. Very drawn to wearing it but it has some imperfections. It's quite a different style to the other though.

Anyway, 1-4 is on thrift so I should decide now. Please tell me either: YAY (run don't walk and grab it if it's still there) or NAY (calm down & keep looking, you can do better).
TIA!

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24 replies

Latest reply was from Fruitful

taylor

Veteran

I actually love it!! A pretty soft yellow and very retro/classy look. You can always do some minor alterations to make this perfect...I vote yay! I don't like the yellow on the newer coat... too trendy!!

Deborah

Veteran

I LOVE Savers!! Can't believe you are questioning this:) Its gorgeous. In fact I have just sold one of my vintage coats - very similar cut and color - to a vintage store where I shop here in Bendigo. The coat in #5 is lovely but in comparison it lacks interest. The vintage coat is classy, retro and I think very versatile. Do you mind if ask how much it is??

Fruitful

Veteran

$15 Deborah. I think if I was on my own I would have chanced it. My friend and I have been burned before thrifting things we don't use, so she was trying to keep me on the wagon I think

Sarah A

Veteran

jump off the wagon! I think the coat is really stylish and love the retro vibe...

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

When you say "ummed and ahhed", is that negative (like ummm, I'm not sure) or positive (like oooh and ahh!!!) I like the shape and color of the new coat much better on you, actually. The first coat color reminds me of jaundice but the second coat reminds me of lemons and sunshine. I think the more saturated yellow is a better match for your complexion and you look so great in the fit and flare silhouette. The shape of the coat is definitely interesting, but it looks slightly big on you. Where is the new coat from? I would definitely go for that one if you can!

PS Your son is such a cutie!!!

Fruitful

Veteran

Natalie, I was weighing pros and cons, trying to picture if the boxiness/sliding around of the neckline/shoulders would bother me. On the other hand, sometimes I don't wear my well-fitting coats because they're a bit uncomfortable especially for driving etc. So this could be good to have in the toolkit. I love the self-covered buttons and the tweedy (?) texture.

I know what you mean about the colour but also take into account the lighting was different in the 2 shops. The 2nd one is from Sportsgirl and I have been disappointed before taking their stuff out into daylight

Thanks for the feedback on the Sportsgirl coat. As I said there are some issues with that one too (I missed getting a side picture and the hang from that view is slightly Hunchback of Notre Dame) and it's a bit droopy over the bust, but I adore the A-line flare from the front and the Peter Pan collar.

One pro about the secondhand coat is that it seems to work over that skirt, whereas I think the Sportsgirl one might be better over a shorter skirt.

I don't know! I think I need to keep looking but thrifting adds a level of pressure. A naughty voice in my head says get more than one yellow coat LOL...

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Personally, I love the thrifted Savers coat. It looks very retro in a 1950's/60's way - which I absolutely love. It does look slightly big in the shoulders but that wouldn't be a reason for me to walk away from it. I love the oversized buttons. I think it boils down to what is in your comfort zone. Good luck with your decision!

Deborah

Veteran

Fruitful for $15 I would buy it and if you don't wear it you could more than double your money by selling it on Ebay or to a vintage dealer... it looks very authentic and in good condition?

Fruitful

Veteran

Thanks Deborah, it appears to be homemade (no labels), it needs a clean as there is some greying around one button (not a stain, just dirt). The lining is intact and yellow but feels like a cheap fabric, not very smooth.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Fruitful, good point about the lighting. You're right, the fluorescent lighting is probably making the color look very different. I think you do look great in both coats so you can't go wrong, it's just a matter of style preference really. I happen to love fitted coats with dramatic flare and bright happy colors (I guess I must be a drama queen, LOL!). The other one has its subtle charms with the softer color, textured tweed and looser shape. Both very cute retro coats, just different styles.

san

Veteran

You look great in yellow and I really love the vintage look of the first coat. I love the large buttons.

Fruitful

Veteran

GP I love dramatic flare like you too - it's confusing, so I'm going to go back and if it's not there, it's not meant to be! Thanks everyone for your helpful feedback! Feel free if anyone has something else helpful to say; even if I buy it, I can still exchange it.

missvee

Veteran

I love the look of the thrift store coat on you! You wear the vintage-look clothing so well and this is a very flattering style that you can dress up or wear more casually. I think the heathered yellow colour is really versatile - look how nice it is with your green skirt and purple tights. For $15 you can't go wrong !

Kate

Veteran

Fruitful, like Natalie, I prefer the fit and flare coat to the retro one. Both the color and the style of the second one are more flattering--though you look charming in both. I. think you would ultimately find the F&F coat both more versatile and more fun to wear. You look fab in yellow!

Anonymous

Yikes, everyone has such good points, on both sides. I would just say that make sure whichever you choose goes with the silhouettes of most of your outfits. If you like retro clothing from a particular decade, make sure the coat lines up with that. Both coats are beautiful and interesting in differnt ways.

Fruitful

Veteran

Thankyou so much, your responses helped a lot! I appreciated every response you each gave so generously and it was great constructive criticism. Where else but YLF could I inflict my dithering and be not only indulged but supported and schooled?

What was the best thing to come out of it is that my ambivalence was your ambivalence (collectively).

This coat is definitely not my usual silhouette, yet I was surprised that I liked it. Those of you who liked it and encouraged me to buy it, thankyou - Taylor, Deborah, Sarah, Shannon, San & MissVee - you affirm that I wasn't crazy and helped articulate why it was to my taste - confirming it's retro cred, class and unique appeal. Thankyou for giving me confidence that I can evolve my style through wearing this style xx. Shannon, I'm glad you weighed in - I thought of you when I saw myself in this!

Thankyou very much Natalie, San and Kate for the encouragement to wear yellow. I see it as another colour that is a bit out of my comfort zone, but I think my new(ish) glasses really pick up on it in a good way and I love the contrast with my hair. I am determined to pick up a yellow coat and you have added fuel to the fire :).

Claire, Kate and Natalie, you raised great points about what flatters my figure and works with my preferred silhouettes. You are wise, and if I was only going to get one coat that fit into my dream minimalist wardrobe, it wouldn't be this. And I do have a big picture goal about a coherent, consolidated wardrobe, so I very much appreciate being reminded of this xx.

After all that...I went back to look for it and it was gone! As I entered the shop I had a feeling that if it was gone it would be a relief, uncomplicating my life. But once I knew I couldn't have it, it was the old grass is greener thing; I kept thinking, damn, some dealer grabbed it, or someone more savvy than me who didn't have a well-meaning friend with slightly different taste influencing her (I once missed out on a frosted pink art deco cake stand after asking this friend her opinion of it).

Ah well. The world is awash with clothes and there will be other baubles to pursue, catch, and hopefully shine in! xoxoxo

DonnaF

Veteran

Fruitful, I think that Savers coat was a bit too big for you. In vintage photos I've seen of that style, it seems to me that it fit differently and had more structure in the shoulders. Could you tell if the prior owner had tampered with it under the lining? It is/was a lovely style, but I'm wondering if that was the source of your hesitation. . .

MsLuna

Veteran

YAY!

The shape works great on you!

catgirl

Veteran

Okay, you know I just got a funky oversized coat so I am all about that! I prefer the color of the retail one unless the Savers one is actually bright too.... otherwise they are both lovely on you.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Too bad about the Savers coat. But maybe it's a sign you should get the other one! It looks fantastic on you!

Astrid

Veteran

It's a pity it's no longer available. I like the shape on you, for future decisions. This silhouette is very big with the stylish city girls here right now.

fashionista

Veteran

I loved the coat in #5 than #1-4, but its your style preference. I think the coat in #5 shows more of your shape that #1-4.

Sylvie

Veteran

You know if it was meant to be and you *really* loved it, you would have snapped it up without thinking. The *right* yellow coat will come into your life someday.

FWIW, I preferred the coat in #5, purely because of the color, though as you've said, the flourescent lighting doesn't give the right color for #1-#4. Can I ask if you pereceived the color as being the same between the two coats?

Fruitful

Veteran

Thanks, Sylvie - I perceived the colour as being similar (but it is hard to say without having them together). The main difference was the Sportsgirl coat was a solid colour/texture, while the Savers coat is 2 (or more) different shades visibly woven together. Sportsgirl lighting tends to make colours seem brighter than they really are too.

Donna, the coat seemed homemade and was constructed without any shoulder structure (a bit like most capes). This and the largeness made it shift around a lot. When it sat right it looked the best, but when it shifted forward it looked sort of hunchback-like.

Astrid, that's interesting to note this is a fashion-forward shape where you live! Thankyou.